Ok for dust bath?

[singswithravens]

Sorry if this has been asked, I didn't have time to go through ALL the dust bath questions

My chicks are about 6 weeks old. We BBQ often with charcoal, so we get lots of ash. This is a multi-question: is it OK for them to dust bathe in charcoal ash? I know wood ash is ok. If not, is the charcoal ash safe for them to be around? My husband dumps it in our fire pit where there's wood ash, and the chickens will hop in there sometimes. They don't seem terribly interested in it (either bathing or foraging), they're just curious little buggers. Should I keep them away from it?

 

[nuthatched]

Plain charcoal? Or briquettes? I'd pass either way, ashes are incredibly drying to the skin.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Charcoal is made from wood. Any additives to make it easy lighting are going to be burned away. I personally do not see any significant difference in wood ash and charcoal ash.

the chickens will hop in there sometimes. They don't seem terribly interested in it (either bathing or foraging), they're just curious little buggers. Should I keep them away from it?

Instead of trying to micromanage every aspect of what my chickens do I give them a lot of leeway to make decisions for themselves. My main concerns are predator protection and keeping them out of my garden and the road. In something like this I'd let them decide.

 

[singswithravens]

Plain charcoal? Or briquettes? I'd pass either way, ashes are incredibly drying to the skin.

They are briquettes, yes. I figured it wouldn't be too drying considering the amount of humidity here, but if it's better to skip it then I will.

 

[singswithravens]

Charcoal is made from wood. Any additives to make it easy lighting are going to be burned away. I personally do not see any significant difference in wood ash and charcoal ash.


Instead of trying to micromanage every aspect of what my chickens do I give them a lot of leeway to make decisions for themselves. My main concerns are predator protection and keeping them out of my garden and the road. In something like this I'd let them decide.

Thanks! This was very helpful. I try to let them decide as well.

 

[nuthatched]

They are briquettes, yes. I figured it wouldn't be too drying considering the amount of humidity here, but if it's better to skip it then I will.

Briquettes contain other binders that aren't great

 

[Debbie292d]

Sorry if this has been asked, I didn't have time to go through ALL the dust bath questions

My chicks are about 6 weeks old. We BBQ often with charcoal, so we get lots of ash. This is a multi-question: is it OK for them to dust bathe in charcoal ash? I know wood ash is ok. If not, is the charcoal ash safe for them to be around? My husband dumps it in our fire pit where there's wood ash, and the chickens will hop in there sometimes. They don't seem terribly interested in it (either bathing or foraging), they're just curious little buggers. Should I keep them away from it?

Many folks mix ashes in dirt for dust baths. We have a wood-burning furnace and have done that from time to time.

I personally wouldn't let mine in it straight, though.